The Rila Monastery

The Rila Monastery, set deep in a forested valley of the Rila Mountains, is the largest and most important Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and the spiritual heart of the nation, a UNESCO site founded over a thousand years ago. Rebuilt in the nineteenth century as a symbol of Bulgarian identity, its striking main courtyard is ringed by tiers of black-and-white striped arcades, and its church blazes with vivid, exquisitely detailed frescoes, both inside and out, one of the most beautiful and revered sights in the country.

What you actually see

• The striped courtyard - the tiers of black-and-white arcades.
• The frescoes - the vivid painted scenes covering the church.
• The Hrelyo Tower - the oldest surviving medieval tower.
• The mountain setting - the monastery deep in the forested mountains.

When to go

May to October for the best weather in the mountains; go early to enjoy the courtyard before the tour crowds arrive from Sofia. Autumn brings beautiful colour to the surrounding forest, and it is a peaceful, atmospheric place outside peak times.

Honest expectations

It is a popular day trip from Sofia, so it can be busy with tour groups by midday; going early or staying in the area gives a calmer, more atmospheric visit. As a working, sacred monastery, modest dress and respectful, quiet behaviour are required. It is a couple of hours' drive from Sofia into the mountains. Its frescoes and setting, though, are genuinely stunning.

Nearby

Sofia, the Seven Rila Lakes and the Rila Mountains are within reach.